Victory in the News

Sheriff’s 'outing' pushes Arizona to top of states with gay candidates for Congress

Babeu joins three state lawmakers — all Democrats — who are openly gay or bisexual and running for Congress this year in Arizona. Rep. Matt Heinz and state Sen. Paula Aboud, both of Tucson, are running in District 2; former state Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Phoenix, who has said she is bisexual, is running in the new District 9.

But Arizona has a long history of electing openly gay candidates, said Denis Dison, spokesman for the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which works to elect gays to public office.

"Arizona has a conservative reputation but it also has a history with openly gay candidates at the local and state level," Dison said. "Once those barriers are broken, people get bored with the topic and it's less of an issue." 

Oklahoma gay candidate wins in landslide

Al McAffrey is moving from one chamber in Oklahoma's statehouse to another.

The gay state representative on Feb. 14 won a special election for the state Senate. McAffrey, a Democrat, was the first openly gay candidate elected to the House and is now the first openly gay candidate elected to the Senate.

"Al's election to the state Senate is another milestone for LGBT Oklahomans, and we are proud to support his campaign," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. "There are still a number of states that have never elected any openly LGBT state legislators, so Oklahoma can be proud that Al has been elected to both the House and the Senate." 

Gay House, Senate candidates running strong

Gay and lesbian candidates for the U.S. House and Senate are competitive with — and in some cases besting — their straight opponents when it comes to raising money. 

Denis Dison, spokesperson for the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, said Baldwin has "lapped everybody in the field" of Republicans.

"They're going to be spending that money in the primary," Dison said. "This is going to be a pretty ugly primary on the Republican side. They're really going to have to spend all the way to win their nomination." 

National news in brief: Feb. 10

Victory Fund staffer appointed to advisory board

WASHINGTON — Rev. George B. Walker, Jr., vice president of strategic partnerships at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Victory Institute, was named to President Obama's Board of Advisers on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, according to a White House press release.

"I am proud that such experienced and committed individuals have agreed to serve the American people in these important roles," said President Obama, upon naming Walker and six others to key administration positions. "I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead."

Victory Fund President and CEO Chuck Wolfe expressed excitement at the appointment.

"We're thrilled for our friend and colleague, George, a deeply committed and passionate advocate for equality, diversity and education," Wolfe told the Blade. "With George's appointment, President Obama continues to ensure LGBT voices are well-represented among the talented Americans who serve him and his administration." 

Washington Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill With a 28-21 Vote

The marriage equality bill's passage on Feb. 1 was praised by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund -- as was Murray, who is the only out LGBT lawmaker in the state Senate.

"Tonight's vote is a victory for fairness in Washington, and for Senator Ed Murray, who has worked so hard for so long to make life better for LGBT Washingtonians," Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund, said in a statement. "When this bill is finally signed into law, Ed and Michael, his partner of 20 years, will finally have realized the equality under state law Ed has fought for since he was first elected to the legislature in 1995." 

Barney Frank to Marry, DOMA Will Limit Federal Recognition of Congressman's Spouse

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund's president, Chuck Wolfe, said in a statement, "We are thrilled for Barney and Jim, and offer them both our congratulations and best wishes.

"As one of the world's most visible out elected officials, Barney Frank has long used his position and influence to draw attention to the freedoms LGBT Americans deserve but still do not enjoy," Wolfe said. "It's fitting that as his time in Congress comes to a close, he will finally take advantage of the freedom to marry in his home state of Massachusetts." 

N.J. gov picks gay black man, Asian for top court

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie moved to diversify the state's all-white Supreme Court on Monday by proposing two firsts: the nominations of an openly gay black man and a Korean-born law enforcer to fill two vacancies. 

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a Washington D.C., group that supports political campaigns of gay candidates, said the first two gay Supreme Court justices were both in Oregon. Rives Kistler was appointed to the bench in 2003 and elected to a full term the next year. Virginia Linder was elected in 2006.

Victory Fund spokesman Dennis Dison said all four others have been sworn in since 2010. They are: Barbara Lenk in Massachusetts, Sabrina McKenna in Hawaii, Monica Marquez in Colorado and Beth Robinson in Vermont. Robinson was previously the leader of a statewide gay rights group, Vermont Freedom to Marry.

Dison said his group helped Harris last year in his mayoral campaign, and that he is one of the few openly gay black Republican mayors in the nation. 

Meet the super super PAC

For PACs that have already gone hybrid — they range from the Conservative Action Fund to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund — the advantages are notable and immediate, several officials said.

Baldwin Raised More Than $1 Million in Last Quarter of 2011 for Senate Race

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) announced today on Facebook that her campaign for U.S. Senate raised more than $1 million in the last three months of 2011. 

Endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, the group's vice president for communications, Denis Dison, told Metro Weekly today, "There's a lot of excitement around this campaign. With 16,000 donors in just a matter of months, it's clear Tammy is attracting strong grassroots support. Still, money will matter a lot in this open seat race, and having close to $2 million on hand is a great start." 

Giffords' gay savior says he's no hero

Recently, Hernandez has become involved with the Gay and lesbian Victory Institute. The institute's focus is getting qualified gays and lesbians elected to public office. "They are helping to train the new generation and this generation in what it takes to be an elected official," he said. The institute offers Hill Congressional Internships, where young LGBT individuals can intern for a senator or a congressperson in much the same way he did.

"The Victory Institute shows you that being gay isn't always a liability but could also be an asset," he said. Hernandez—who, at only 21, has won his first local election and has not yet graduated from college—offers sound advice for those in the LGBT community who would rather sit on the sidelines than be on the field. "If you think just because you are LGBT you cannot serve and could never be elected, you're wrong," said Hernandez. "The institute can show you the successes of others who are qualified and want to serve. In Wisconsin right now, the people are working to elect Tammy Baldwin as the first openly gay Senator in United States history." 

Out Lesbian Lawyer Wins Special Election in Minnesota, Will Fight State's Proposed Marriage Amendment

Winning the election for Minnesota House District 61B, the DFLer, according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, also is the nation's first Native American lesbian lawmaker. 

The Victory Fund, which supports out LGBT candidates, had endorsed Allen and celebratedthe victory.

Tiffany Muller, the Victory Fund's vice president for political operations, said in a statement, "We're thrilled for Susan and the remarkable progress her victory represents. This is our first win of 2012, and it's a fantastic way to start off what will be a very exciting year for LGBT candidates." 

Takano on path to make history in Calif. race

The Human Rights Campaign, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and gay Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) have already endorsed Takano. During a recent trip to D.C., Takano also secured endorsements from retiring gay Rep. Frank as well as members of the House Democratic leadership, including Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). 

How Barney Frank helped change the landscape for gay politicians

Today, more than 30 states have gay representatives in both legislative houses, according to the Victory Fund, an international advocacy group for gay and lesbian public office holders. This year, 72 gays and lesbians were elected in the United States and 110 were elected in 2010. There are more than 500 openly gay elected public officials in the country today, says Denis Dison, spokesman for the Victory Fund. 

Quinn: More work on LGBT issues needed in N.Y.

For lesbian New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the passage of a same-sex marriage law in New York was a big win, but she acknowledges that more work on LGBT issues is needed.

"It passed in a pretty low time in our economy and a tough time for the city and state, and what I've noticed is wherever I go in the city — even still — people are happy," Quinn told the Washington Blade. "You go to senior centers, they're still congratulating me. It's really created, I think, a lot of joy and a stronger sense of community in the city."

Quinn made the remarks during the 27th International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference — sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute — after a panel session titled "Victory in New York: A Model for Success," in which participants discussed the strategy that led to the enactment of same-sex marriage in New York. 

Finances at 'turning point' for groups

"Of particular concern," said the MAP report, "contributions from individual donors dropped sharply (a 14% drop, or $9.3 million) between 2009 and 2010. This revenue drop was mostly offset by revenue increases from corporations (41% increase, or $1.8 million),bequests (30% increase, or $1.6 million), fundraising events (6% increase, or $1.1 million) and other income (126% increase, or $3.2 million)."

MAP made its analysis using financial data from 40 LGBT groups, 27 of which had annual budgets of more than $1 million and 13 additional organizations whose missions are considered "critical" to the LGBT movement. The groups included such well-known national organizations as the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, as well as state groups, including MassEquality, the Empire State Pride Agenda, and Equality California. 

Barney Frank's Retirement: Which LGBT Candidate Could Fill The Congressman's Shoes?

Vote for the most inspirational candidate below (with special thanks to The Victory Fund for their helpful input on this piece).

Bonnie Dumanis and the Wisdom of Ladder-Climbing

Republican Bonnie Dumanis, currently trying to climb the local political ladder from her post as county District Attorney to San Diego's mayor, has been noted for tutoring others in the ways of political combat.

According to the website of the 27th International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference, put on by the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute and held at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston over the weekend, Dumanis was billed as the headliner of a breakout session entitled, "Climbing the Career Ladder." 

Queering Congress

When California teacher Mark Takano ran for Congress 15 years ago, he lost to Republican challenger Ken Calvert by a scant 519 votes. Two years later, things looked more promising. Police had caught Calvert with a prostitute; Takano should have easily clinched a win. But just three months before the election, Ray Haynes—a Calvert supporter in the state assembly—outed Takano as gay. 

Despite the growing importance of LGBT issues on the Democratic platform—two rumored contenders for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, have been fierce advocates for marriage equality—the rank of elected officials will likely change little next year. "If you were to think of this in terms of representative democracy, we are not there yet," says Denis Dison of The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, a group that supports LGBT candidates at all levels of government. "We should have maybe 30 members of the House. But [the underrepresentation] is also true of people of color, of women. The LGBT community is fairly new to this mission we have undertaken. It wasn't very long ago that people would not have been able to run." 

Frank retiring from Congress in 2012

The longest serving openly gay member of Congress won't seek re-election to the U.S. House in 2012.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) announced his retirement during a press conference at Newton City Hall in Massachusetts on Monday. Had the lawmaker sought re-election, he would have been pursuing a 17th term in Congress.

The Victory Fund has endorsed the re-election bids of openly gay U.S. House members Polis and Cicilline. The organization also backs the election to Congress of non-incumbent Pocan as well as Mark Takano in California and State Rep. Marko Liias in Washington State.  

Barney Frank to Retire

With few regrets and a few more parting quips, Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts announced Monday that he will retire at the end of the current congressional term. 

Congressman Frank, the longest-serving openly gay member of Congress and one of four openly gay congressional members currently in office, told reporters at a news conference in Newton, Mass., that his decision not to run for reelection in 2012 was driven in part by the realities of redistricting as well as his desire to pursue writing and teaching. His announcement was met with an outpouring of gratitude by LGBT organizations who praised his gay rights legislative work and his influence on a new generation of LGBT political leaders. 

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, said, "Barney Frank's political career may be coming to an end, but his legacy will outlive us all. His decision to come out as gay more than two decades ago gave LGBT Americans an authentic voice and a persistent champion in Washington. He has used that voice loudly and often, speaking personally, humorously and effectively about the hopes and challenges of Americans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We will miss that voice very much."